As the name in itself comes from an occupation, it can be assumed that there will be a wide variation in the genetic makeup from the European and Great Britain populations.

In the 'New World' the surname was either introduced by immigrants or adopted into the native population after colonization by the Europeans. The surname in these cases, are not direct from an occupation but from the 'need' to assimilate into the new culture with a surname that did not previously exist.

Many examples of this are with the Native Populations of Africa, North America, Australia and New Zealand. It is possible that the Genetic makeup of the Haywards (and variations) will spread across the whole spectrum of Haplogroups presently known. We all descend from the Haplogroup A (M91), it just depends on where we split up. It will be interesting to see in the future where the surname has ended up and what culture is involved. It is already used as a first name in the America's. Has anyone come across a Hayward Hayward or Hayward Hayward Hayward?

Cheers

p.s. apologies about all the question marks in the 'English Hayward Timeline' post but that happened when the forum changed its style and layout last year, previous to that it was ok.

From Nathaniels J. Hone's "The Manor and the Manorial Records. London, 1925.", Hayward and Howard are a compound of two words: the French haie, hedge, and the Saxon word waurd, a watchman, guard, or keeper. The old royal and noble families during the fuedal period in Europe appointed men whose duty it was to keep, watch over, superintend and keep in repair the hedges which protected their masters grainfields, grazing grounds, and (sic - from?) cattle and other intruders. These men were styled haywards. "The Hayward is to be an active and sharp man; he must rise early and look after and go round and keep the woods, corn and meadows, and other things belonging to his office, and he is to superintend the sowing. He is to look after the customary tenents that they come and do the work they are bound to do; in haytime he is to overlook the mowers, and in August assemble the reapers and the labourers and see that the corn is properly gathered, and watch early and late that nothing be stolen by beasts or spoilt. In earlier times he attended to the fences and hedges, and was answerable for stray cattle, which it was his duty to impound. This office was often combined with that of Beable, the verger of the manorial court. He was accustom to superintend the work in the hay and harvest fields, carrying his rod or verge. He was allowed provender for his horse when serving writs and summonses."

I'm familiar with a few sites but will have to dig thru my stuff. Hope this works for you in the meanwhile.